Wisp & Canaan Crank Up Winter Schedule

The early cold weather has help a local tourist attraction start the process of preparing for its season. Wisp Resort started making snow Thursday night into Friday, with temperatures in Garrett County hovering in the upper teens. Staff there was able to pump out the snow equivalent of 2500 gallons a minute. That's a good sign for an early ski season locally.

Canaan Valley Resort State Park is starting the winter season early this year by opening its tubing and ice skating areas during the Thanksgiving weekend.

“We’re excited to be opening our snow park for a weekend of Thanksgiving family fun,” said Steve Drumheller, general manager at Canaan Valley Resort. “After a day of tubing and skating, we invite our guests to spend the night at our beautiful lodge. It’s a great place to relax for a few days during the holiday break, enjoy a delicious meal and reconnect with loved ones.”

The resort’s 1,200 feet long tube run is the longest in the Mid-Atlantic and features a “magic carpet” lift that zips riders back to the top of the hill. The tubing park will be open 4:30-6:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 22; 2-4 p.m., 4:30-6:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Nov.23, and Saturday, Nov. 24; and 8-10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25. The outdoor covered skating rink will be open each day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. After the last session on Nov. 25, the tubing and skating park will be open on weekends until the opening of Canaan Valley Resort’s ski areas in mid-December.

Canaan Valley’s high elevation in the Allegheny Mountain makes a perfect climate for snow sports. The resort, which has 160 rooms and 23 cabins, is a world-class, four-season vacation destination and offers many seasonal and family-friendly activities and dining options. To learn more about lodging specials and deals and to make a reservation, visit www.canaanresort.com or call 304-866-4121.

Canaan Valley Resort State Park visitors also are invited to send digital photos of their winter festivities to CommerceSocialMedia@wv.gov. Select photos will be shared on the West Virginia State Parks Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.